AMD releases new processors

Advanced Micro Devices has released its latest batch of processors along with the 780V, a new chipset that AMD manufactures to run them on. The company is aiming squarely at the business market, including government agencies, said Hal Speed, a senior manager at AMD.

Using technologies from AMD's purchase of graphical processors unit manufacturer ATI, the 780V's integrated graphics capability can fully support the resource-hungry Microsoft Vista Aero interface. It also has connectors for two display units.

AMD is offering seven new processors that will work with the new chipset. Four will be dual-core Athlon processors, ranging from 2.3 GHz to 2.8 GHz. For heavy-duty users, the company offers a 2.3 GHz Phenom quad-core processor. For customers who require more than a dual-core processor but don't want to pay the premium for a quad core, AMD also offers a 2.3 GHz triple-core Phenom processor. Both of those processors will have 2M of L3 cache. The company will also offer a 2.7 GHz single-core Athlon 1640B for thrifty, light users.

AMD will sell them for a full 24 months, Speed said, rather than just 12 months as was previously the norm. The extended offering ensures that the processors specified in a contract will still be offered by the manufacturer.

Hewlett-Packard has released a midline desktop PC ' the Dc5850 ' that uses the 780V chipset.

About the Author

Joab Jackson is the senior technology editor for Government Computer News.